Getting to know your baby’s regular pattern of movements will help you to recognise what’s usual for your baby. This will help you if your baby’s movements change, reduce or stop. For example, if you routinely take time to tune into your baby’s movements at 9am every morning and you know to expect your baby to move actively for 30 minutes as always. However, on a particular morning this is not the case. Instead your baby moves very slowly, is not as active and movements only last for 5 minutes duration. Would you agree this is not usual for your baby? You haven’t experienced your baby’s regular pattern, call your midwife or maternity unit for advice. 

Your baby should be moving without needing to be prompted. You shouldn’t need to be having snacks, hot or cold drinks to encourage your baby to move. If you think that your baby’s movements have changed, reduced or stopped, contact your midwife or maternity unit for advice. A midwife can then take a full history from you and give you the most appropriate advice. Speaking with family members or friends can be tempting and they will do their best to give you advice. But the advice they give, with good intentions, may not be appropriate for you and your baby. Every baby is unique, so if someone says to you they experienced something very similar with their baby and everything was fine, that may not be the case for you. Always seek advice from a midwife.

It’s important to remember that all babies’ movements are unique. Every baby is different. Every pregnancy is different. With every pregnancy you experience, your baby will follow their own regular pattern of movements. This will be unique to them.

There is no set number of normal movements. Recognising what is a regular pattern of movements for your baby is a good indicator of their wellbeing. Learn to recognise what times during the day, evening and early hours your baby is active. The duration of movement activity and the sensations of how those movements feel.

Timing, duration and sensation of movements.

By 24 weeks of pregnancy you usually have felt some sensations of your baby’s movements. However sometimes it may seem like you haven’t felt any at all. Let your midwife know. Your baby’s movements can feel like a flutter, swish, roll or kick. Sometimes described as a bubbling sensation. Very often you have experienced sensations but suspected it to be something else. Especially when you’re experiencing your first baby. Some women say that once they see their baby’s movements on ultrasound scan this is when they can associate the sensation felt with the movements seen.

No. Your baby’s movements should not slow down towards the end of your pregnancy. You should still be feeling your baby’s regular pattern of movements right up to when you go into labour and during labour too. Sometimes when you are in labour the thought of contractions can override the thought of has my baby moved? Even so, your midwife, with your permission, will place her hand on your bump to feel for the sensation of your contractions and very often can feel your baby moving too.

Do not wait. Don’t wait until the next day. You have noticed a change in your baby’s movements, call and speak to a midwife straight away. Get advice. If your own instincts are telling you that you feel your baby’s movements have slowed down and changed, don’t wait. The minute you get the thought that your baby’s movements don’t feel the same, or something feels different, something just doesn’t feel right…call and speak to a midwife for advice. We can’t stress enough, your baby’s too precious for you not to.

You are not wasting anyone’s time. Don’t put off calling a midwife for advice. Midwives are available to offer advice 24 hrs a day, every day. If something doesn’t feel right with your baby’s movements, speak to a midwife for advice. A midwife can take a full history from you and give you advice based on your personal circumstances. Yours and your baby’s wellbeing is paramount to midwives.

Yes, call and get advice. Always seek advice every time you feel your baby’s movements have changed, reduced or stopped. Even if everything was fine last time, it is always best to know each time that all remains well with you and your baby. You’re not wasting anyone’s time. You are speaking up for your baby.